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Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

Home to one of Florida’s deepest springs, at 320 feet deep, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park protects crucial coastal estuaries along the Gulf Coast

New Port Richey      ( 28.307233,-82.705767 )      

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Florida’s salt springs bubble up from a trapped layer of seawater deep within the earth. At Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, its namesake Salt Spring is very deceiving.

Although only a small crevice in a tidal basin, it’s 320 feet deep.

Deep and small is the norm of the springs found here. On a walk along the Springs Trail, we saw signage for at least five springs, but there are certainly more.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: New Port Richey
Trailhead: 28.307233,-82.705767
Address: 8737 US Highway 19 North, Port Richey
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restrooms: Flush toilets at main entrance parking area. Vault toilet at Scenic Drive trailhead.
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 727-816-1890

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed dogs welcome.


Directions

 
All three entrances are off US 19 north of Tarpon Springs and south of New Port Richey. The main entrance is the most obvious one. The others are along paralleling back roads.

About the Park

Stretching along the Gulf of Mexico coastline for nearly four miles and 4,000 acres, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is a very large state park.

It is hidden in plain sight west of the strip malls and condos along US 19 from Bayonet Point south to Port Richey.

The park encompasses a dozen coastal natural communities, most of which are wet. But those that are dry offer unexpected natural wonders.

Most are so subtle you wouldn’t notice them without a sign, but Reflection Spring was a genuine surprise with its large pool sparkling with fish.

These are not springs you can swim in, but natural pools to behold. All are salt water springs along the tidal fringe.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
Reflection Spring at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

Hiking

At the park’s main entrance, the Springs Trail is a must to visit, featuring a half-dozen named springs and a tidal waterfall along with many estuary panoramas.

Two shorter trails – the Kayak Launch Trail and the Eagle Trail – provide nature walks into the estuary and the flatwoods, respectively.

Two other entrance points lead to trails. The original Scenic Drive Trailhead is at the corner of Cinema Drive and Scenic Drive.

It offers a half-mile loop that sticks to the edge of scrubby flatwoods, diving into a bayhead to showcase towering trees.

Another trail, the Black Rail Trail, is accessed from the Black Rail Trailhead at the end of SR 52. There isn’t much to it yet except a walk to the estuary edge for birding.


Paddling

From the main entrance area, paddlers can access nearly four miles of untrammeled Gulf of Mexico shoreline, or paddle any of three trails, including along scenic Salt Springs Run. Kayak rentals are available.

Related Articles

Lunchtime underwater at Weeki Wachee

Three Days of Nature Coast Springs

Between New Port Richey and Crystal River, explore a variety of springs along the Nature Coast that provide splashing fun in summer and manatee watching in winter.

Trail Map

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs map


Explore More

Slideshow

See our photos of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Starkey Wilderness backcountry

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

Explore an expansive landscape of pine flatwoods, prairies, scrubby flatwoods, and open scrub along nearly 50 miles of trails just east of New Port Richey

Key Vista Nature Park waterfront

Key Vista Nature Park

Discover a new perspective on the Gulf of Mexico from the observation tower at Key Vista Nature Park, a coastal gem with a 1.5 mile loop to a natural shoreline

Anclote Gulf Park boardwalk

Anclote Gulf Park

A place for spectacular sunsets, Anclote Gulf Park offers several observation decks along its coastal boardwalks overlooking Anclote Key and the Gulf of Mexico

Blue sky and palm reflected in river

James E Grey Preserve

James E. Grey Preserve hugs the shores of the winding Pithlachascotee River, an 80-acre preserve of natural shorelines with an extensive accessible boardwalk.

Trail Maps Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, Parks, SpringsTag: Best Paddling, Birding, Boating, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Geology, Mangroves, New Port Richey, Opt Outside, Picnic, Spring Hill, Springs

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